When a friend is going through cancer treatment, especially something as rough as chemo, it can be hard to know what to say or do to help. You know it’s going to be a rough few months for her, but what can you do?? Even simple gifts for chemo patients can fill the void when you’re not sure what to say, but want your friend to know you care.

Here are six gifts for chemo patients – some common, some unique. Some of these suggestions come from my own experience, and some were contributed by a number of women who had already gone through chemo and recalled their favorite gifts.

#1 The Crucial Chemo Care Package

There are a variety of things you can put in this package, so you can make it as simple or complex as you like.

Hydration

Lotions and lip balms are a favorite! Chemo makes you feel dry all over, even more so if you’re doing treatment during winter months. Be aware that some chemo drugs, like Adriamycin, can give the patient an increased sense of smell, so softer scents or unscented lotions may be a safer bet. One of my favorites was this lemon cream scented lotion. It smells delicious, but didn’t bother my overly sensitive nose or make me queasy.

Because of feeling dry, hydration is of HUGE importance during chemo! And if you’re anything like me, a fun cup or tumbler reminds me to keep drinking. One that fits in a car cup holder is a bonus – I didn’t dare leave the house without a water bottle because I was constantly thirsty.

As well as being more sensitive to smells, some chemo drugs alter your sense of taste. I usually love a metal water bottle, and a friend had gifted me one when I began chemo. But Adriamycin tends to make everything taste metallic, and a metal bottle made the water taste unappetizing. I had to wait till Adria was done before I could drink from that bottle. As such, my go-to was a plastic Tervis bottle, which seemed to have the least effect on the water’s flavor.

Comfort

Chemo usually means lots of napping and resting, so fuzzy socks are another favorite. They can be soft and thick for wearing around the house, or you could get ones more like slippers for your friend to wear at the infusion center.

Life Savers or other hard candies are an item you don’t realize you need until you get your first infusion. Many people can taste the saline being pushed through their port, and it’s this weird, metallic, nasty flavor in the back of the throat. When my friend gifted me three bags of Life Savers at the start of chemo, I had no idea why I would need them. But after my first infusion I didn’t go to chemo or a blood draw without them! I found the mint ones to be best for masking the taste of the saline, but favorites will vary per person.

A worry stone comes in handy all through treatment. It could be a stone with an affirmation or an ergonomic cross that easily fits in the hand. My friend gave me a cross, and I used it all the time. I held it during chemo treatment, when I was laying on the couch all the next week recovering from said chemo, and when I was laying stretched on a table during my daily radiation treatments. It was a simple, but meaningful, comfort.

Food for thought, maybe forego gifting a blanket or coloring book in favor of other items. I agree, they make great gifts, and I have no doubt your loved one will appreciate it! That said, these tend to be common care package gifts, and odds are your friend has already received a couple blankets and adult coloring books. If your thing is to make knotted fleece blankets, go for it! They’re super cozy and comforting, especially with all the necessary resting. But if you’re buying a throw just because, consider gifting a favorite book, an Audible subscription, or even a second pair of fuzzy socks instead.

#2 Gift Cards

Bills tend to rack up quickly with a cancer diagnosis, so gift cards are incredibly helpful! Gift cards for grocery stores are vital cuz folks gotta eat. Gas station gift cards are sure to be used given all the doctor appointments, infusions, bloodwork appointments, etc.

Depending on where your friend lives, gift cards for Uber or Lyft are equally helpful! Sometimes chemo leaves you feeling so nauseated you’re not up to driving to your appointments. Or it’s winter and you don’t feel up to the exertion of unburying your car from the snow. If your friend doesn’t drive, consider gifting money to reload her bus or train card.

Of course, Amazon gift cards are a good idea for, well, pretty much anything your friend may find she needs, whether groceries, a soft hat, a new book to keep her entertained, or whatever else.

#3 Play Dates for the Kids (human or furry)

Treatment can be especially difficult for those with families to care for. Chemo zaps your energy, sometimes even for a week, and mommas may feel guilty about not spending more time with the kiddos. Volunteer to keep the kids for the evening of or the day after momma’s treatment, or even for a weekend if you feel ambitious. Knowing that the little ones are safe and entertained not only eases potential mom guilt, but takes a load off mentally and physically so momma can get plenty of rest.

This also applies to dog moms! My dogs are older and good snugglers, so after treatment we took a lot of naps together on the couch. But if your friend has a puppy or a dog that needs more activity, perhaps volunteer to take Fido for a walk.

#4 Subscriptions

With the nausea and fatigue of chemo, that also means being homebound for a while. Especially in winter. I hardly left the house, if for no other reason than to protect myself from catching a cold or flu from the masses.

But depending on one’s hobbies, it can be easy to get bored. Consider gifting a 6-month or one-year subscription membership.

Is she a book lover? Consider Audible or Kindle Unlimited.

Movie addict? Maybe Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Disney+ is more her thing. If she’d rather get out of the house or not stream, look into an AMC Stubs movie membership.

Does she have an insatiable love of learning? Maybe a Masterclass course streaming program is right up her alley.

#5 Spa Gift Card or Kit

Losing one’s hair and dealing with surgery sucks. Especially with women, cancer treatment can leave you feeling less than attractive. A gift card for a spa or a care package with self-care items are a treat that helps ease those negative feelings.

I already mentioned lotions above, but a decadent lotion or body butter is a must, especially with her dry skin. (And if you can make body butter, even better!)

Bath salts or bombs are always fun, and can also be a good way to moisturize dry skin during chemo. Of course, if she’s had surgery recently, she probably won’t be able to use this for a bit. But if she’s like me, she’s eager for being medically released to take a bath again and is planning on what bombs or salts to use.

One way to regain some femininity is to have a fresh mani/pedi. As a caveat, try to find a place that offers non-toxic nail polishes. Chemo can cause nails to separate from the nail bed, and if polish gets under the nail it may cause an infection if your friend is at risk of lymphedema. Granted, this risk is low. But it’s something to keep in mind, especially if this affects your friend’s choice to get a manicure.

#6 Make it Personal

Are you a crafty person? Perhaps you’d prefer to make something instead of buying items. Create a beautiful card, or bust out the papercraft items to decorate a journal cover.

Make a necklace or bracelet with an encouraging word to let your friend know you’re thinking of her.

Maybe you’d prefer to knit a prayer shawl and have your church or friends pray over it before gifting it.

Make “coupons” offering to do laundry, help clean, go grocery shopping, mow the lawn, or come visit. This is an inexpensive gift idea, but ohhhh so appreciated!! This way she knows the offer is on the table that you’re willing to lend a hand.

When it comes to gifts for chemo patients, it really is the thought that counts

Gifts are so incredibly appreciated during chemo! They don’t have to be anything expensive or involved. Cancer treatment can sometimes feel isolating, so the main thing is knowing your loved ones support you when you’re going through treatment.

If you have any other gifts for chemo patients that you’d recommend, feel free to mention it in the comments!

Pin me!